Practice 1 Report - Leclerc leads red-flagged Hungarian FP1

Charles Leclerc, British GP 2026
© Ferrari

Charles Leclerc set the pace in opening practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix as Lance Stroll’s suspension failure caused a nine-minute red-flag interruption at the Hungaroring.

Leclerc’s 1m19.075s lap, recorded shortly before Stroll stopped, put Ferrari 0.484s clear of Max Verstappen. Lewis Hamilton completed the top three, while the benchmark survived the closing minutes after Leclerc appeared to encounter a power-unit or gearbox problem and coasted back to the pits.

Early running featured Leclerc and Hamilton trading the leading position before Russell became the first frontrunner to fit soft tyres. His advantage lasted briefly, with Verstappen moving ahead before Leclerc delivered the decisive lap. Teams used the session to assess upgrades tailored to Budapest’s corners and high downforce requirements, although McLaren’s programme was especially significant as it sought to close the cornering-performance gap to Ferrari and Mercedes with its floor package.

Ferrari ran a high-downforce winglet above its rear-wing actuator, while Mercedes and several rivals also introduced circuit-specific aerodynamic options. McLaren brought a more substantial floor revision, tested on Oscar Piastri’s car by Formula 2 champion Leonardo Fornaroli.

Aston Martin debuted a heavily revised B-spec AMR26 featuring a lighter chassis, new aerodynamic surfaces and revised rear suspension. Its first outing suffered a setback after 36 minutes when Stroll’s rear suspension appeared to buckle exiting Turn 2. He spun through 360 degrees before parking, prompting the red flags.

Verstappen complained that his Red Bull felt as though it was being driven with the handbrake applied, but still claimed second. Hamilton was third, ahead of Isack Hadjar, George Russell and Gabriel Bortoleto. Fernando Alonso placed Aston Martin’s updated car 13th, 2.475s off the pace.

The final times were: Leclerc 1m19.075s; Verstappen 1m19.559s; Hamilton 1m19.618s; Hadjar 1m19.997s; Russell 1m20.066s; Bortoleto 1m20.360s; Frederik Vesti 1m20.467s; Nico Hulkenberg 1m20.623s; Arvid Lindblad 1m20.760s; Liam Lawson 1m20.866s; Lando Norris 1m21.024s; Esteban Ocon 1m21.051s; Alonso 1m21.550s; Pierre Gasly 1m21.704s; Alex Albon 1m21.819s; Fornaroli 1m21.890s; Ryo Hirakawa 1m22.001s; Sergio Perez 1m22.089s; Paul Aron 1m22.168s; Colton Herta 1m23.118s; Stroll 1m23.471s; and Carlos Sainz 1m23.734s.

Four other rookies joined Fornaroli in compulsory FP1 outings. Vesti replaced championship leader Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes, Hirakawa drove for Haas, Aron appeared in Alpine machinery, and Cadillac test driver Herta finished 20th.

Russell was among several drivers caught out at the newly resurfaced Turn 1, where grip was limited. Afterward, stewards summoned Sainz over an alleged impeding incident involving Verstappen and claims of erratic driving.